e-ever he
could obtain it, and was a great encourager of the practice of carrying
arms for the defence thereof, which he took to be a proper mean in part
to restrain the enemy from violence. But things growing still worse and
worse, new troops of horse and companies of foot being poured in upon
the western shires on purpose to suppress and search out these
field-meetings, which occasioned their rising again _anno_ 1679. While,
by these unparalleled severities, they were with those of whom the
apostle speaks, _destitute, afflicted and tormented, of whom the world
was not worthy, and they wandered in deserts and in mountains, and in
dens and caves of the earth_[209].

For that suffering remnant, under the command of Mr. Robert Hamilton,
having got the victory over Claverhouse on the 1st of June 1676, at
Drumclog in Evandale (in which skirmish there was about 36 or 40 of that
bloody crew killed), they went on the next day for Glasgow, in pursuit
of the enemy; but that proving unsuccessful, they returned back, and on
June 3d formed themselves into a camp, and held a council of war. On
the 4th they rendezvouzed at Kyperidge, &c.; and on the 5th they went
to commissar Fleming's park, in the parish of Kilbride, by which time
captain Paton (who all this time had not been idle) came to them with a
body of horsemen from Finwick and Galston; and many others joined them,
so that they were greatly increased.

They had hitherto been of one heart and one mind, but a certain party of
horse from Carrick came to them (with whom were Mr. Welch, and some
other ministers who favoured the indulgence), after which they never had
a day to do well, until they were defeated at Bothwel-bridge, upon the
22d of June following.

The protesting party were not for joining with those of the Erastian
side, till they should declare themselves fully for God and his cause,
against all and every defection whatever; but Mr. Welch and his party
found out a way to get rid of such officers as they feared most
opposition from: For orders were given to Rathillet, Haugh-head,
Carmichael, and Mr. Smith, to go to Glasgow, to meet with Mr. King and
captain Paton; and they obeyed. When at Glasgow, Mr. King and captain
Paton led them out of the town, as they apprehended, to preach somewhere
without the town; but at last, upon inquiry where they were going, it
was answered (according to orders sent privately to Mr. King and captain
Paton), That they were to go and di